Charleston Bishop Joins in 40 Days for Life Candlelight Vigil

LifeSiteNews.com

By Peter J. Smith

CHARLESTON, South Carolina, October 20, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A South Carolina Catholic bishop gave witness to the right to life in his diocese by standing shoulder-to-shoulder with other pro-life advocates gathered for a candlelight vigil in front of a Charleston abortion facility as part of the 40 Days for Life prayer campaign.

40 Days reports that the national campaign has so far seen hundreds of babies saved from abortion as well as the closure of an abortion facility.

Bishop Robert E. Guglielmone of the Charleston Diocese was among over 40 prayerful men, women, and children who participated in the October 10 candlelight vigil at 7 p.m. in front of the Charleston Women's Medical Center.

Participants included members of other faiths as well, who described the event as a very spiritual and moving experience. Songs filled the air and the rosary - a prayer that offers scriptural meditations on the life, death, resurrection, and saving mission of Jesus Christ - was prayed.

Participants had with them the "Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe" as part of their witness to the culture of life against the abortion clinic. Mary in this image wears clothes that strongly depict her maternity, carrying Christ within her womb.

According to Fr. Frank Pavone, founder of Priests for Life, the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was instrumental in the conversion of 9 million Aztecs in Mexico, who were practitioners of human sacrifice. Today, Pavone says the 1531 image is "being used again to change the hearts of our people" on abortion and life issues. For this reason, Mary under this title was declared by the Catholic Church to be "Patroness of the Unborn" and the Church celebrates a feast day in her honor on December 12.

40 Days for Life reports that they have received 306 reports of mothers who chose life for their babies and turned away from their abortion appointments. 40 Days also reports that during this fall campaign, three more abortion center employees have also quit their jobs, and an abortion facility in Montana is now slated to close on November 20.